Trimble Business Center

Question about SNM940 future viability?

Tom

I have a customer who uses the 940's and hotspots on his foreman's phone to sync data via TCC.  940's are 2G/3G and in the US everything is moving to 5G which requires 941's.  New sales are 941's.  If a customer has 940's and using wi-fi for internet they are still viable. Looks like 941's have BETA hotspot function too.  

Tim, we just installed a new Earthworks system on a dozer. We have a SNM941 modem installed and we are told only data can be transferred over the SNM941. It does not allow for engine on or hours tracking through VisionLink.  This is going to greatly impact our maintenance schedules that currently depend on vision link and the SNM940.  We are going to have to shift our fleet some other direction unless I’m totally missing something?

Do you have any customers in the same situation?

Tom

Ask your locat SITECH to inquire about Trimble FSM Telematics.

Tim, we also need the ability to transfer files and data. Not sure If FSM does that. 

Thanks!

Tom

We primarily use 940's to transfer data through TCC. As to their future viability, ultimately none of them will be able to be an internet access point but as to when that happens depends on which wireless carrier you are using (if you are already using one). 940's were made to a specific carrier so they couldn't have been switched from say Verizon to AT&T or vice versa, also both carriers suspended activation of 3G devices in 2018 (Verizon was 06/01, AT&T was 12/31) so if you aren't using cell service it's unlikely that a modem will be able to be activated. For devices that are currently active if you're using the Verizon network (like we are) then cell service for it will continue until 12/31/19 at which time Verizon is retiring it's 3G network and you'll need to go to hotspot or replace it with a 941. If you're using the AT&T network you should have cell service until what's currently being predicted as no sooner than 12/31/21. though AT&T hasn't announced a hard retirement date they have suggested they won't be repairing any down 3G towers.

Remember this effects TSC3's as well so if your using cell service with them you're essentially going to WIFI at some point in the next 3 years.

Joe, thanks for the info. We have 9 Machines using TCC with 940's on Verizon and 25+ machines that have 451's. Our 5yr Visionlink contract is about to expire.  We are looking to Trimble for an upgrade program to replace the units we have but as of yet there is none offered. Please let me know if you hear of anything.

Appreciate your time, Tom

Most of our equipment has product link instead of a 451 but the same problem exists with that, so we're in a similar position. Unfortunately I haven't heard of any replacement programs either but I'm hopeful they're talking about it because after this year if it's Verizon 3G (and a lot of it is) it's going dark. That's big $$$ to replace.